Owen made his move on the Côte de Saint-Nicolas, the race’s penultimate climb, when he followed an attack from breakaway companion Pavel Sivakov (BMC Development Team). Owen was the only rider in the break able to follow the move. He did so, before opening a gap over Sivakov by the top of the climb and then riding solo for the remaining 20km to the finish.

“This is a dream come true,” Owen said. “I have always loved this race and now I have managed to win it,” the 21-year-old said. “I had super legs today. I don’t think I have felt this good in a race since I started cycling.”

Sivakov held on to finish second, 44 seconds behind Owen, while Owen’s teammate Ruben Guerreiro was the first of nine chasers across the line, another 30 seconds back.

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